Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A dialog device between an operator of an aircraft and a guidance system configured to manage guidance modes of the aircraft, said guidance system using guidance setpoints for the management of said guidance modes, said dialog device comprising at least one control unit comprising means for manually selecting guidance modes and guidance setpoints, and a display screen, whereon are displayed first, second, and third graphic representations, wherein said first, second, and third graphic representations are respectively associated with three control axes of the aircraft: a speed axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis, according to which the guidance system is configured to manage guidance modes, wherein each of said graphic representations is produced in the form of a graphic assembly, each of said graphic assemblies comprising a plurality of portions, each of which is associated with a guidance mode of the associated control axis, so that all the possible guidance modes of the guidance system are thus represented, and wherein the portion relating to a guidance mode engaged on the guidance system is highlighted on the corresponding graphic representation, said graphic representation highlighting the fact that the guidance modes are active exclusively on a given guidance axis.
An interactive dialog device facilitates communication between an aircraft operator and the aircraft's guidance system, enabling management of guidance modes using guidance setpoints. It features a control unit with manual selection for guidance modes and setpoints, and a display screen showing three graphic representations. These represent the aircraft's speed, lateral, and vertical control axes. Each axis's graphic is a visual assembly of portions, where each portion corresponds to a specific guidance mode for that axis, representing all possible guidance modes. The currently active guidance mode is highlighted on its corresponding graphic, emphasizing that guidance modes are active exclusively on a given guidance axis.
2. The dialog device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of said graphic assemblies is produced in the form of a semicircular diagram, with portions defined by adjacent circular arcs.
The interactive dialog device described in the previous claim uses a semicircular diagram to represent each graphic assembly for the aircraft's speed, lateral, and vertical control axes. The semicircular diagrams are divided into portions defined by adjacent circular arcs. Each portion of the semicircular diagram corresponds to a specific guidance mode for the associated control axis, allowing the operator to quickly visualize and understand the available guidance options.
3. The dialog device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein on each of said graphic representations, at least one of the following graphic highlights is produced: a particular graphic highlight of armed guidance modes; and a particular graphic highlight of capture modes.
Building on the interactive dialog device with semicircular diagrams for each control axis, the display screen also includes visual cues highlighting armed guidance modes and capture modes. This means that, on each semicircular graphic representation (speed, lateral, vertical), at least one of these visual indicators is present. The "armed" highlight shows modes ready for activation, while "capture" indicates modes currently acquiring a target or parameter.
4. The dialog device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein, on at least one of said graphic representations, the value of a guidance setpoint is displayed in the portion associated with the corresponding guidance mode.
Extending the interactive dialog device, the value of a guidance setpoint is displayed directly within the portion of the graphic representation associated with the corresponding guidance mode. This means that for at least one of the speed, lateral, or vertical axis displays, the setpoint value (e.g., target altitude, speed) is shown alongside its mode representation within the semicircular diagram.
5. The dialog device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the display of said value is differentiated according to whether this guidance setpoint value is reached or currently being acquired.
In the interactive dialog device where guidance setpoint values are displayed, the presentation of the setpoint value changes based on whether the target value has been reached or is still being acquired. This visual differentiation informs the pilot if the system is actively working towards a target (e.g., blinking, changing color) or has already achieved it (e.g., solid color, stable display).
6. The dialog device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein, when the value of a guidance setpoint is modified using said selection means, a scale relating to this guidance setpoint is displayed, temporarily, on the corresponding graphic representation.
When the guidance setpoint value is modified using the manual selection means on the control unit, a scale related to that specific guidance setpoint is temporarily displayed on the corresponding graphic representation. For example, when adjusting altitude, a vertical scale appears next to the altitude guidance mode portion, allowing precise visual feedback during adjustment. This temporary scale disappears after the adjustment is complete.
7. The dialog device as claimed in claim 1 , for a guidance system comprising at least one guidance mode which becomes priority when particular conditions are satisfied, wherein the portion relating to said priority guidance mode is highlighted automatically on the corresponding graphic representation when said particular conditions are satisfied.
For guidance systems that include a priority guidance mode that activates under specific conditions, the interactive dialog device automatically highlights the portion representing this priority mode when those conditions are met. For example, if a windshear detection system triggers, the "windshear avoidance" mode on the vertical axis display is immediately highlighted, drawing the pilot's attention to the critical mode.
8. The dialog device as claimed in claim 1 , comprising, on said display screen, a graphic interaction between portions of first and second different graphic representations when the guidance modes corresponding to said portions are linked together.
The interactive dialog device can show a graphical link between portions of different graphic representations (speed, lateral, vertical axes) if the guidance modes they represent are linked. For example, if engaging a specific lateral navigation mode automatically adjusts a target speed, a visual connection (e.g., line, animation) appears between the corresponding portions of the lateral and speed axis displays, illustrating the interdependency.
9. The dialog device as claimed in claim 1 , comprising at least one interaction means configured to make a change of guidance reference for one and the same guidance setpoint, and wherein a change of guidance reference, when made, is highlighted on the corresponding portion.
The interactive dialog device includes a method for changing the guidance reference for a specific guidance setpoint. When a change of guidance reference is made, the corresponding portion of the graphic display is visually updated. For instance, switching the altitude reference from barometric altitude to radio altitude would be highlighted on the vertical axis display, showing the new reference point to the operator.
10. The dialog device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said selection means comprise at least one manual actuation means arranged on the control unit in proximity to the corresponding graphic representation.
The manual selection means on the control unit used to select guidance modes and setpoints are physically located near the corresponding graphic representation on the display screen. This proximity provides a direct and intuitive link between the physical controls and the visual display, improving the operator's efficiency and reducing cognitive load. The physical controls allow for direct manual input alongside the interactive display.
11. The dialog device as claimed in claim 1 , comprising means for making a direct action on a graphic object representing a portion of a graphic assembly, for at least a guidance mode selection.
The interactive dialog device allows direct interaction with the graphic objects representing portions of the graphic assembly, enabling guidance mode selection. The user can directly manipulate the graphic representation of a guidance mode to select it. This could involve clicking, touching, or hovering over the graphic object to activate or deactivate the corresponding guidance mode.
12. The dialog device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the display screen is configured to present, at least on the corresponding portion, a graphic animation during the direct interaction.
When a user directly interacts with a graphic object (portion) on the display screen of the interactive dialog device, such as during guidance mode selection, the screen presents a graphic animation at least on that portion. This animation provides visual feedback to confirm the interaction and indicate the status of the selected guidance mode. The animation confirms a successful selection.
13. The dialog device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said screen comprises a touch screen, and wherein a selection at least of guidance modes is configured to be made by a direct contact on said touch screen.
The interactive dialog device screen is a touch screen, allowing guidance mode selection to be made through direct contact. The user can select guidance modes by directly touching the corresponding portions of the graphic representations on the screen. This direct touch interaction provides an intuitive and efficient method for controlling the aircraft's guidance system.
14. The dialog device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said selection means comprise control means linked to the screen and enabling an operator to control the movement of a cursor on the screen, intended for the selection at least of guidance modes.
The selection means for guidance modes and setpoints in the interactive dialog device include control means linked to the screen. These controls allow the operator to move a cursor on the screen to select guidance modes. This could involve a joystick, trackball, or other pointing device that controls a cursor's position, enabling the operator to precisely select the desired guidance mode represented on the display.
15. A guidance system of an aircraft, comprising a dialog device to enable a dialog between said guidance system and an operator of said aircraft, at least for the selection of guidance modes and of guidance setpoints, said dialog device comprising at least one control unit comprising means for manually selecting guidance modes and guidance setpoints, and a display screen, whereon are displayed first, second, and third graphic representations, wherein said first, second, and third graphic representations are respectively associated with three control axes of the aircraft: a speed axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis, according to which the guidance system is configured to manage guidance modes, wherein each of said graphic representations is produced in the form of a graphic assembly, each of said graphic assemblies comprising a plurality of portions, each of which is associated with a guidance mode of the associated control axis, so that all the possible guidance modes of the guidance system are thus represented, and wherein the portion relating to a guidance mode engaged on the guidance system is highlighted on the corresponding graphic representation, said graphic representation highlighting the fact that the guidance modes are active exclusively on a given guidance axis.
A guidance system for an aircraft includes an interactive dialog device enabling communication between the system and the operator. The dialog device allows for the selection of guidance modes and setpoints. It has a control unit with manual selection means and a display screen presenting three graphic representations (speed, lateral, vertical axes). Each graphic is an assembly of portions, each representing a guidance mode for its axis. The active guidance mode is highlighted, emphasizing that modes are active exclusively on a given axis.
Unknown
August 26, 2014
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